Edessa was an ancient city (polis) in Upper Mesopotamia, in what is now Urfa or Şanlıurfa, Turkey. It was founded during the Hellenistic period by King Seleucus I Nicator, founder of the Seleucid Empire. It later became capital of the Kingdom of Osroene, and continued as capital of the Roman province of Osroene. In Late Antiquity, it became a prominent center of Christian learning and seat of the Catechetical School of Edessa. During the Crusades, it was the capital of the County of Edessa.
The heritage of Roman Edessa survives today in these columns at the site of Urfa Castle, dominating the skyline of the modern city of Urfa.
Silver tetradrachm struck in Edessa by Macrinus 217-218 AD
King Abgar holding the Image of Edessa.
The seizure of Edessa in Syria by the Byzantine army and the Arabic counterattack (Maniakes) from the Chronicle of John Skylitzes.jpg
Urfa, officially called Şanlıurfa, is a city in southeastern Turkey and the capital of Şanlıurfa Province. The city was known as Edessa from Hellenistic times and into Christian times. Urfa is situated on a plain about 80 km east of the Euphrates. Its climate features extremely hot, dry summers and cool, moist winters.
Image: Mevlid i Halil Mosque 19
Image: Rizvaniye Mosque 03
Image: Balıklıgöl park 9401
Image: Urfa Selahaddin Eyyubi Camii Vali Fuat Bey Street side 3686
